This guidance is part of a consultation on changes to the code for sustainable homes in 2010, to align with changes to Part L of the Building Regulations and the proposed approach to adopting the 2016 definition of zero carbon.

This Consultation version of the Technical guide is part of the Sustainable New Homes: The Road to Zero Carbon: Consultation on the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Energy Efficiency standard for Zero Carbon Homes publication.

The purpose of this technical guide is to enable Code service providers and licensed assessors to deliver environmental assessments of new dwellings on the basis of the Code scheme requirements. The guide includes a list of issues associated with the building process which are known to impact on the environment, and for which performance measures to reduce their impacts can be objectively assessed, evaluated and delivered in a practical and cost effective way by the construction industry.

The consultation closes on 24 March 2010.

For details click here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/codeguideconsultation

The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) extension consultation raises key proposals for a new higher target of 293 million tonnes of lifetime CO2 savings by December 2012; for the provision of an insulation minimum and the removal of compact fluorescent lights as eligible measures, so as to drive insulation delivery at scale and ensure government meets its target to insulate 6 million homes by December 2011; and, for a new Super Priority Group obligation to ensure that the most vulnerable householders who are least able to afford energy saving measures are offered assistance.

The consultation closes on 14th March 2010.

To download the consultation and impact assessment documents click here: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cert_ext/cert_ext.aspx

Defra has launched its second consultation on its analysis, targets and indicative standards for a range of energy-using products, setting out how these products need to improve over the period to 2030 in order to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

The consultation looks at domestic and commercial lighting, consumer electronics, white goods, motors and circulators, heating, air conditioning and IT equipment. It considers the effects of all policies that are aimed at improving the energy efficiency of products. A number of stakeholders participated in an event in July 2009 to feed into the analysis.

Stakeholder comments are invited by 12 March 2010. In light of the consultation, our revised analysis and targets will be published later in 2010.

The consultation can be found on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/energy-using-products/index.htm.